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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

Massachusetts · 41,340 residents · 8.294 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $56,979. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $334,100.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
41,340
+2%since 2000
from 40,407 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,984 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 4,872 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.6
+3%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K39K41K43K45K1990201020202024Salem
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,979
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,033 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,949
+30%since 2000
from $23,857 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
37.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
10.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.436
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food4.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$334,100
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $188,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,027
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
39.1%
−10.0 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
49.3% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
38.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.9
+37%since 2000
from 4.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(33,277)
Black2.4%(966)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(4,541)
Asian2%(797)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.9%(14,092)
2010
White, non-Hispanic75.9%(31,377)
Black3.5%(1,450)
Hispanic / Latino15.6%(6,465)
Asian2.6%(1,083)
Other2.5%(1,014)
Diversity Score49.8%(20,586)
Diversity Score
50
+43%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 31.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
14.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+39%since 2000
from 20.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
68.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 70.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
9.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
40.1%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
53.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
16.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.9%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 42,625
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Pop 44,750
Meadow Woods
Pop 42,852
Clermont
Pop 52,812
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Swampscott
Income$134,386+136%
Home value$771,100+131%
Population15,277−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Marblehead
Income$182,132+220%
Home value$943,900+183%
Population20,413−55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lynn
Income$75,043+32%
Home value$510,100+53%
Population104,236+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Peabody
Income$96,657+70%
Home value$596,200+78%
Population55,953+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Massachusetts?

Salem, Massachusetts has about 41,340 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Salem, Massachusetts earns about $56,979 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Massachusetts expensive?

In Salem, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $334,100, and the typical rent is about $1,027 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Massachusetts?

About 37.7% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Massachusetts?

About 10.8% of people in Salem, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,249 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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